At Yellow Lime Creative, we love shining a light on incredible businesses, and this time, we’re thrilled to highlight Parker Strategy Group! PSG is a full-service consulting firm based in Philly. They specialize in economic impact analysis, strategic consulting, and data-driven decision-making. They work with clients across industries to provide insightful research that informs policy, business strategy, and community development. 

We had the chance to sit down virtually with founder Nichole Parker and her partner Kyle McMillen to hear their stories, their journey to PSG, and what makes their approach so unique.

Meet the Team

Will the real Nichole please stand up?

Nichole was in graduate school for public and internal affairs at the University of Pittsburgh, thinking she’d work for USAID or something in international relations. But life had other plans.

While working on a short-term evaluation project with the Inter-American Development Bank in Pittsburgh, she came across a newspaper ad for a consulting job. It sounded… odd. But she applied anyway. The job turned out to be at a startup with an opportunity to learn on the job— an 80-hour workweek, trial by fire, and a crash course in figuring things out on your own. Her very first project? Conducting a focus group in Brooklyn with women who were HIV positive and recently released from prison. So, not your normal 9-5.

That first experience was chaotic but exhilarating. The high-risk, high-reward nature of consulting immediately clicked for her. She loved that she could become an “expert” in various fields, all while traveling constantly. Her bosses stayed out of the way – providing guidance when necessary, and she learned an incredible amount by just diving in. That first job shaped everything that followed.

Fast forward through years of project-based work, launching two previous firms, and learning (sometimes painfully) what she did and didn’t want in a workplace, Nichole officially founded Parker Strategy Group. She knew she didn’t want to be a traditional “boss.” Instead, she built a team where everyone is trusted to own their work, collaborate as equals, and tackle challenges together.

Paging Dr. Kyle McMillen

Kyle’s path had some twists and turns as well. He started college with a plan to become anything but a teacher (which would be following in his parents' footsteps), and after four different majors, he landed on history with his sights on being a history teacher (go figure!). When he graduated, the 2008 recession was still in full force, and teaching jobs were scarce. Instead of fighting over the few openings available, he decided to pursue a master’s degree.

His first attempt at applying to grad school was, in his words, “a mess.” He unknowingly submitted all his documents in Mac Pages format instead of Word, which completely butchered the formatting (oopsie daisy). That hard lesson was a wakeup call, and Kyle dedicated himself to excellence. He was so determined to succeed in graduate school, he went for two masters degrees!

From there, Kyle’s career bounced through political campaigns, community organizing, and education nonprofits, taking him from Michigan to California, and finally to Philly. Eventually, while working at a leading education nonprofit in Philadelphia, Kyle became a client of Parker Philips–the predecessor to Parker Strategy Group. A little while later, Kyle had his interview, and soon, he was part of the team. His role gradually shifted into working alongside Nichole full-time, and when she proposed taking the leap to launch Parker Strategy Group, he was all in.

Kyle still uses his education bonafides and teaching experience as an Adjunct Professor at Drexel University in Philadelphia.

Mary, Mary, Oh Contrary

Mary Wassell is the third player at PSG but we (unfortunately) weren’t able to hang out with her for this interview because she was probably off doing something amazing with her time. She’s the Chief Communications and Marketing Officer and a “certified yapper” (her words, not ours). Outside of PSG she serves on the advisory board of the Emerging Erie Fund, the board of the Northwestern PA Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), is a member of the Erie County Democratic Committee, and secretary of her church’s parish council (see what we mean about her off doing something amazing?). Mary jumped onto Nichole’s team at their previous agency in 2021 and took the plunge along with Kyle when the three of them set off to create Parker Strategy Group.

What Makes Parker Strategy Group Different?

Parker Strategy Group isn’t just another consulting firm—it’s built on a foundation of trust, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to good work. Here’s what sets them apart:

✅ A No-Ego Team Culture – Everyone supports each other, with zero competition or credit-hoarding. They believe in lifting each other up and creating a work environment where it’s okay to ask for help.

✅ Figuring It Out Is Their Superpower – No micromanaging, no rigid hierarchies. Just smart, curious people who love solving data puzzles.

✅ Reinventing the Workplace – PSG was founded to create a positive and supportive environment, inspired by the lessons learned from past experiences in the industry. They’re determined to build something new.

✅ Trust Over Everything – The team is tight-knit, and everyone truly has each other’s backs. When a challenge arises, they tackle it together—no blame games, just solutions.

Why Economic Impact Analysis Matters

Nichole has been in this industry long enough to see how much the perception of economic impact studies has evolved. Years ago, people were skeptical of economic impact studies. Now, they’re recognized as critical tools that companies and organizations can use for strategic decision-making and advocacy.

PSG prides itself on delivering rigorous, reliable research—whether it’s for a major university, a smaller institution with limited resources or a Fortune 10 publicly traded company. The work is constantly evolving, but at its core, it’s about providing data, not opinions. Their reports give clients the numbers and the narrative behind them, allowing them to make informed decisions with confidence.

Final Thoughts

Parker Strategy Group is a firm built on experience, resilience, and a healthy dose of humor. Nichole, Kyle, and Mary have turned their collective expertise into a business that challenges outdated corporate norms while delivering top-tier strategy and impact analysis.

We’re huge fans of their work and their approach—and we can’t wait to see what they tackle next! PS We had way too much fun building their website on Webflow, go check it out now!